Reflections

Survival, strategies and what helps.

For the first time we had mothers with their daughters, and I appreciated having conversations with other daughters, at lunch and while travelling on the ferry. Through our conversations I gained another perspective on how each family has had their own journey through this experience we’ve all had to share. Some family members may seem to have been touched lightly, or less obviously, while for others the hurt has been very deep and complex. It was good to be reminded that the ways in which siblings and family members have been affected by the abuse experience is unique for each person, and that this healing journey needs to take many different paths.

My experience with Healing and Hope at the Mothers’ Retreat Day illustrated to me that GGS is serious about addressing the impact of sexual abuse of children on families and wider systems.

Tanya and Kate are warm and engaging and treated my mother and I with compassion and sensitivity. For the first time in a long time, it felt like GGS is acknowledging mistakes and making headway into changes for the future.

More importantly for me, it felt like this was not just lip service but a true recognition of the experience that families of sexual abuse survivors endure.

Reflections of a Father

Healing and Hope Fathers' Retreat Day - for Fathers of Survivors

I am not sure how XX could have engaged in Healing and Hope without the advent of the Royal Commission in 2013. This was a transformative event in our lives.

It opened windows into support networks (giving and receiving), legal remedies, and engagement with Geelong Grammar School. The Commission hearings exposed XX to the School as an institution, and its representatives, through a different and at times confronting lens.

XX’s interaction with the School over time has moved from being adversarial and transactional, to a relationship containing elements of respect, consideration, and care. Counselling had a big part to play in breaking down psychological barriers and enabling trust to be re-established.

We, as parents, became more involved in the post-settlement "restorative" phase. There was now a more open communication. We were able to provide input into and challenge ideas in a less threatening and constructive way.

In this instance, time has been a healing factor.

I am happy to do what I can to advance the work of Healing and Hope.

August 2023

Reflections of a Mother

Healing and Hope Mothers' Retreat Day - for Mothers of Survivors

It was a very intimate and special time, and I didn’t realise how much I needed to be able to talk about my family’s experience with other mothers who understood instinctively.

Meeting Rebecca, and hearing the sincerity with which she spoke, went a long way towards helping me to build a more positive feeling towards GGS.

The warmth and genuine-ness (is that a word??) of all the Healing and Hope team made it very easy for your guests to relax, and participate in the discussions. It never ceases to amaze me how a group of women who don’t know each other can very quickly establish trust, and then feel comfortable about sharing deeply personal stories. I’m so glad to have been asked to participate, and I know that the benefits will continue to reveal themselves as I reflect upon what I learned.

November 2022

Reflections of a Survivor

Healing and Hope White Balloon Day Event

Thanks for your help in rebuilding me over the past four years to the point where I was ready to go to the White Balloon Day, and for the reassurance you gave me yesterday.

I was finally able to tie a ribbon on the Lunan gates, where I was disappointed once before when they had all been removed just before I went. It was a powerful kind of solace along with the affirmation of the whole event beforehand.

From now on I will try to go every year it is held at Corio.

September 2022